GO TO THE HOUSE OF GOD TO LISTEN

Passage: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Key verse: 1

NIV

Fulfill Your Vow to God

5 [a]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.(A)
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.(B)
3 A dream(C) comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.(D)

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.(E) He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.(F) 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.(G) 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.(H)

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Footnotes
  1. Ecclesiastes 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Fear God

5 [a] (A)Guard your steps when you go to (B)the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to (C)offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 [b] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore (D)let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with (E)many words.

4 When (F)you vow a vow to God, (G)do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. (H)Pay what you vow. 5 (I)It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you[c] into sin, and do not say before (J)the messenger[d] that it was (K)a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;[e] but[f] (L)God is the one you must fear.

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Footnotes
  1. Ecclesiastes 5:1 Ch 4:17 in Hebrew
  2. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
  3. Ecclesiastes 5:6 Hebrew your flesh
  4. Ecclesiastes 5:6 Or angel
  5. Ecclesiastes 5:7 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2)
  6. Ecclesiastes 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many; but
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

After considering what the Teacher has said about the futility and meaningless of life under the sun, we may be tempted to complain to God. However, the Teacher warns us not to respond with many hasty and foolish words and vows. God is almighty and sovereign. God created us. God is in heaven. We are on earth. Therefore, when we go to God’s house or any time we approach God, we must go near to God to listen to him with a humble and repentant heart. God desires that we speak to him in prayer (Php 4:6) but we must also remember who God is. Will you commit to reverently listening to God today as you read his word and pray?

We are also warned about making vows to God. If we make a vow, we ought not to delay in fulfilling it. In fact, it is better to not make a vow than making one and not keeping it. When our mouths make vows before God that we do not fulfill, our mouths have led us into sin. Jesus says not to make vows at all (Mt 5:33-37). Our words must be trustworthy and weighty instead of brushing aside our past vows by saying, “I made a mistake.” Talking too much is one mark of a fool and is meaningless. It can also lead us into sin. Instead of daydreaming and saying many things, we should fear God.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for not listening to you. Help us to fear you and listen to you more than speaking.

One Word: Listen to God and fear him